outlaw66

Hey guys. Finally got my 5.0 and AOD sitting at home. Everything looks good. I just have asimple question. What exactly is the TV cable on the transmission? I think this stands for Throttle valve cable, correct? What exactly does this thing do? Is it simply a passing gear linkage? I heard that adjusting it is crucial, but i'm not sure why.

urban_cowboy

Here is a link on how to adjust the T.V. cable on an AOD.
http://www.txchange.com/aodadj.htm
It is how the transmission knows what position the trottle is in. What is does is maintains the shift feel and shift points over a greater range of engine throttle conditions. If set correctly, the transmission has the correct oil pressure and shift feel regardless of engine torque and remains in balance over a wider range of operating conditions. If it is set wrong, you will have transmission problems and possible premature failure.

urban_cowboy

Another thought...The valve body and springs and holes in the valve body set the shift points and firmness; however, the TV cable also affects this via transmission oil pressure in relation to the trottle position.

outlaw66

Ok so this is an absolutely necessary part then? no way around it? Can I use the factory one or will i need an aftermarket? The engine/tranny came out of an 87 Lincoln. I noticed Lokar makes them for about 75 bucks....

dodgestang

It is absolutely nessesary,unless you install an AODE and then install an electronic control for it. On a standard AOD if the TV is not set correctly it will burn out in only a few miles. You can source a unversial cable easily enough from many mustang (and non mustang) vendors. If you have a holley carb you will also want to pick up the little adapter brakcet they sell that mounts to the side which will ensure the tv cable is pulled through the correct range of motion

outlaw66

Ok thanks guys. dont like electronic stuff so i'll just get the Lokar cable and hope to get it adjusted right!! How does your AOD hold up behind that 408, dodgestang? What all did you do to it? I'm gonna leave mine stockuntil i get the money to build it. Will it hold up behind a mostly stockcarb'd 5.0with an open diff? oh, by the way,ya'llhaveNICE mustangs.

dodgestang

I have broken it twice...meaning I am on my 3rd AOD build.

But it has been together without a problem for roughly 3 seasons now. Since they came stock behind 5.0s I suspect you will be just fine.

andrewmp6

So tv is just another name for a kick down cable right if so lokar makes one its not cheap but it looks great.The aode isn't bad if you have a laptop to tune the little ecu for it.

urban_cowboy

I have no idea about programming an AODE. I am not sure what all a kickdown cable does other than help with downshifts, but the TV cable has many more fuctions then just downshifting.

As for the AOD, it is my least favorite Ford tranny. I have a 88 Bronco with an AOD behind a 351W with about 300hp. I have put two Jasper crate AODs in it in 6 years. They just suck, or I have really bad luck. The shifts in and out of OD are harsh compared to newer OD trannys. Shiftkits help a little with downshifting, but getting out of OD is a pain. I manually shift it most of the time. You have to remember that the AOD is one of if not the first OD tranny Ford made. IMO, they did not really have it figured out. If my 88 did not orginally come with an AOD, I would put a c6 in it.

I do not want to talk you out of an AOD, and others may have better luck, but it has been a big pain in my Bronco.

66FB06GT

This is a great site for AOD info:

http://www.becontrols.com/tech/tech.htm

They have great information on how to adjust the TV cable properly so you don't burn out your trans.